The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly condemns the June 30 passage of the Hong Kong national security law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. The law will take effect and be implemented on July 1, despite opposition from the majority of Hong Kong residents and from the international community.
The Hong Kong national security law reflects a complete negation of the commitment made by the Chinese Communist Party at the handover of Hong Kong that its way of life would “remain unchanged for 50 years.” The law will seriously undermine Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, significantly restrict freedom of expression and judicial independence, decimate the rule of law, erode core values such as freedom, human rights and rule of law, and cause tremendous social upheaval, while also affecting peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
MOFA solemnly urges the PRC government to respect the freedoms and human rights of the people of Hong Kong and facilitate its stable and prosperous development in accordance with the common interests of Hong Kong, the region and the international community. The fundamental approach should be to take the appeals of the Hong Kong people seriously, uphold the solemn commitment to ensure freedom and democracy in Hong Kong through concrete measures, and sincerely initiate social dialogue so as to win the Hong Kong people's trust and respect from the international community.
Faced with the regression of democracy, freedom and human rights in Hong Kong, Taiwan will not stand idly by. It has officially launched the Hong Kong Humanitarian Aid Project. The Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services will commence operations on July 1 to provide support and assistance to the people of Hong Kong.
In light of the situation in Hong Kong, Taiwan has a responsibility to work in concerted effort with like-minded partners in the international community to safeguard the territory's freedom. The government of Taiwan will closely monitor the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and other actions taken by the PRC government. It will also bolster exchanges of views on the Hong Kong issue with like-minded countries and respond appropriately in line with future developments.
